Christmas this year was a much smaller and quieter occasion compared with recent years but just as enjoyable. The day started with a very early phone call to Alice, currently on a ski holiday at La Toussuire.

Today we shipped Alice off to Roanne, a small-ish town near Lyon. She’ll have two weeks school, two week’s holiday with her host family les Fassolettes and then a week in Paris.

UPDATE

Alice is having a great time – here’s a selection of the photos she has taken. Click here. 

Alice’s Year 10 Formal.

Everyone got dressed up for trick or treat.

…including Jerry.

Hard not enjoy a week in the sun, showing off the North Coast to Francoise. We watch the daily French news and while we’re sweating bullets, the family in France is knee deep in -15C and snow.

C’est la vie!

In honour of our cousin from France, Francoise Prunier, the clan assembled at our house for an all time great feast courtesy of Linda, Katrina, Peter, Alex, Michel, Cherin, Shan Shan plus anyone else I have omitted.

Boxing Day was spent at North Head, picnicing on the leftovers and watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart.

A star is born. Tonight we saw Alice on stage co-starring as Marty in the school’s production of Grease.

  
Click here to see more photos from the production.

In March we spent a weekend in Melbourne to Mum, Jerome, Marion, Julian and Tom. Here’s a few of the best snaps. 

Jerome and Nick

Linda, Alice and Marion

Julian and Tom

One of the positive consequences of the internet is that it makes the world a whole lot smaller. And our world felt miniscule this week when by chance I bumped in to a long lost cousin on Bridge Base Online. The outcome was a delightfully long lunch with Ioana, Berry, their son Leo and his partner Zsofi and a resolve not to leave it another thirteen years.

Berry, Ioana, Alice, Edward, Linda, Nick, Leo, Zsofi

Here’s the three boys. Spot the difference…

Christmas / Jõulud 2007
The highlight of another King / Fahrer / Aavik Christmas feast was the presence of Linda (Emme) Aavik and this beautiful (and delicious) gingerbread house. Click on the cake for all the day’s pictures.